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WebFirst, Inc., a Redhawk Company, designs and develops secure, high-performance mobile solutions for iOS, Android, and SMS platforms. WebFirst has built mobile applications for nonprofits and federal agencies, including SMS-based data collection for health, education, and agricultural programs.

Building Engaging Mobile Experiences

We love turning your ideas into impactful mobile apps.

From behavioral games to data collection tools, our team has you covered. WebFirst has developed mobile applications for nonprofits and federal agencies alike, using open-source platforms and proven development practices.

We’ve also built SMS-based data collection systems that enable users with standard mobile phones to gather information for health, education, and agricultural programs.

Platforms We Build For

  • iOS Apps

    Our developers understand the Apple ecosystem and know how to build iOS applications that meet Apple’s rigorous design and performance guidelines.

  • Android Apps

    Android is one of WebFirst’s core strengths. We’ve developed numerous native applications for health, education, and international development sectors.

  • SMS Applications

    For low-resource or limited-connectivity environments, our team builds SMS-based applications using Twilio, Tropo, or Plivo – enabling faster development at lower costs.

Our Development Process

We use an agile development approach that emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and adaptability. Our process evolves with each iteration to ensure high-quality, user-focused mobile solutions. From concept to app store approval, we deliver applications that meet the highest standards for usability and performance.

  1. Idea & Strategy

    Defining goals, target users, and technical scope to set the foundation for success.

  2. UI/UX Design

    Creating intuitive, user-focused interfaces and experiences.

  3. Mobile Development

    Building robust, scalable applications across platforms.

  4. Beta Testing

    Validating functionality, performance, and user experience.

  5. Deployment

    Publishing to app stores with full compliance and quality checks.

  6. Maintenance & Support

    Providing updates, monitoring, and long-term optimization.

Native Apps vs. Responsive Web

One of the first decisions when building for mobile is choosing between a responsive web app and a native app. Responsive web apps are faster to develop, more cost-effective, and ideal for simple applications or rapid launches.

Native apps, however, provide better performance, security, and access to device features such as GPS, camera, and offline storage. While they require more time and investment, native apps deliver a smoother experience and higher user engagement — making them the best choice for long-term scalability.

PhiCollect – WebFirst’s Open Source mHealth Platform

With WebFirst’s PhiCollect system, we have created an open source data collection platform that is flexible, scalable, cloud-based, and affordable. PhiCollect allows you to collect data from and publish to a variety of platforms (Web, Android, Apple iOS, SMS).

We have leveraged two existing, well-established platforms in the design of our system - Open Data Kit integrated with the Drupal 7 (open source) framework.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What mobile platforms does WebFirst build for?

WebFirst builds iOS apps, Android apps, and SMS applications. For low-resource or limited-connectivity environments, WebFirst builds SMS-based applications using Twilio, Tropo, or Plivo.

Should I build a native app or a responsive web app?

Responsive web apps are faster to develop, more cost-effective, and ideal for simple applications or rapid launches. Native apps provide better performance, security, and access to device features such as GPS, camera, and offline storage, making them the best choice for long-term scalability.

What is WebFirst’s mobile app development process?

WebFirst uses an agile process in six steps: idea and strategy, UI/UX design, mobile development, beta testing, deployment, and maintenance and support.

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